“M. Marbois, do you know who this gentleman, Roderick Barclugh, is?” questioned Mr. Livingston.
“Yes,” replied the Secretary pleasantly. “He is the second son of Sir George Barclugh, who resided, when living, upon his estates in England. I have heard that he has been engaged in secret missions of diplomacy. But I do not know what interest brings him to Philadelphia.”
“It doesn’t matter,” continued the member of Congress. “I have understood that he is paying attentions to Miss Greydon. I was anxious to know his antecedents.”
When this conversation was taking place between the French Secretary and Mr. Livingston, General Schuyler went over to the latter gentleman and touched him on the arm. The General was deathly pale and immediately the two went to a remote part of the house and held a hurried consultation.
“Mr. Livingston,” said the General. “The news has just reached the city that General Arnold has gone over to the enemy and Major Andre, Adjutant-General of the British Army, is a prisoner in the hands of General Washington, and that our cause has just escaped a terrible calamity.”
“What!” exclaimed Livingston. “Has Arnold gone over to the enemy? And you and I had just pleaded with the Commander to give him West Point! What did he attempt to do?” questioned Livingston excitedly.
“Why, he planned to surrender West Point,” answered the General.
“Is it possible?” cried Livingston. “We must leave at once. We cannot tell what may happen, or whom to trust.”
The two members of the Committee on Military Affairs of Congress hastily found the host and gave the news to him and left for the city together.
The news soon spread throughout the house, and animated groups were collected, discussing the news.